Mason Neville has had a breakout season for the Oregon baseball team in 2025. Not only that, but his draft profile has risen, and according to Baseball America, the Ducks centerfielder is on his way to some major cash as a second-round draft pick.
If their prediction is correct, Neville will be headed to the Big Apple with the No. 38 pick to the New York Mets thanks to his improved approach at the plate.
“Neville has had a tremendous junior season with Oregon and is leading all D-l hitters with 25 home runs,” Baseball America said. “He entered the spring with real questions about his swing decisions but has made strides in that department with a career-best strikeout rate to go with solid speed and a lefthanded-hitting center field profile.”
Oregon has used Neville at the top of its order for much of the season. The Ducks probably didn’t expect this kind of power output from him, but Neville seems comfortable in the leadoff spot, and Coach Mark Wasikowski hasn’t felt the need to move him down in the order.
As for the Mets, it would make sense for them to draft a centerfielder who can reach the Major Leagues relatively quickly. They’ll have Juan Soto manning right field for the next decade, but having a guy in center who has range would take some pressure off of Soto in the field.
But like the game itself, the MLB draft is unpredictable, and Neville could go to any one of the 32 teams and he could move to a corner outfield spot, depending on his team’s needs. No matter where he plays, Neville will provide a solid bat that has some pop.
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